Yokohama tells Australians to expect fruitier tires

ERJ staff report (BC)

Sidney, Australia – Yokohama Tyre is making bold predictions about the future of tire materials, reports Rob McKay of Australasian Bus & Coach.

Combining “eco-friendly” orange oil derived from orange peel and inert silica in the rubber compound is claimed to have produced a tire nearly 10 percent lighter than its petroleum-based equivalent, reducing fuel usage by around 8 to10 percent. Lower rolling resistance is also cited.

Yokohama Tyre Australia managing director Tatsuya Murata said the inclusion of orange oil at a nano-particle level to replace some petroleum-based oil content is “just the beginning”.

He added: “By including orange oil in this new [BluEarth AE01] eco-tire, we … are meeting strong performance expectations of the consumer market for more tire malleability with increased lifespan.”

“We are pleased to be using oil that is a byproduct from the food processing sector and infusing this at a nano level into the tire to give us these two qualities, which are normally mutually exclusive.

“… Business owners and fleet managers around Australia can now operate knowing that even their tires have reduced petroleum oil content and improved grip, they are saving fuel and reducing the frequency at which they need to replace tires.

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Full story from Australasian Bus & Coach